York St John University, Prof Mark Edwards will be presenting his Inaugural Lecture on Thursday 17 May 2018

Title: Relationship between cognition and emotion: Role of anxiety in information processing

Since the birth of modern psychology as an independent science, researchers have been interested in the relationship between cognition and emotion. Across that time there were multiple reports indicating that anxiety was characterised by poorer performance on tasks requiring attention and memory. Inconsistent results have also emerged however and some reports have suggested higher anxiety is associated with enhanced cognitive performance. Despite great empirical activity in this area, limitations in methodology have produced conflicting data and constrained the development of a coherent theory. Over the past 20 years Professor Edwards’ work has yielded some of the secrets of this complex relationship.

Professor Edwards completed his undergraduate, honours and PhD degrees at the University of Queensland, in Australia. His academic discipline is Psychological Science, and he is widely published on factors affecting the relationship between anxiety and cognition, and on the neuropsychological correlates of substance use and abuse. 

Professor Edwards has considerable experience of international education, particularly in China, India, and South East Asia.

From 2005-2016 Professor Edwards was the Head of the School of Psychology at Bond University, in Australia. In January 2017 he joined York St John University as the Foundation Head of School of Psychological & Social Sciences.

Event Timings:

17.50 Doors open

18.00 Lecture commences

19.15 Event closes

Location: Temple Hall

If you have any queries about this event or any University event please contact the Events Office on

t: 01904 876654 or e: events@yorksj.ac.uk